Rotary deep-well boring apparatus



C. E. vREED ROTARY DEEP WELL BORING APPARATUS Dec. 27, 1927; 1,653,928

c. E. REED ROTARY DEEP WELL `BORING APPARATUS Filed June 5. 1,924 3 Sheets-Shed,2

F' A 17 'fz 21. -.H111AA i! C. E. REED ROTARY DEEP WELL' BORING APPARATUS mealJune 5, 1924 :shunts-sums F-igfl- A l, H320.

. A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

cLARENcE n. REED,

RoTARY DEEP-WELL Application mea .rune 5,

The invention concerns apparatus for use in drilling Wells, and it embodies# improvemeJlts relating tothe rotary cutting mechanism and to means for obtaining a core of the .formation through which the drilling is -to be made and to various features hereinafter described and particularly claimed.

In the drawings forming a part 2of this specification Figure 1 is a central vertical section ofaYV drill bit showing features of my invention. Fig. 2 isa bottom plan View of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 show rotary side cutters. Figs. 5 and 6 show in section and elevation a cone bearing for the rotary side cutters.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a journal pin for the side cutters.

Fig. 8 is Yan end view-lookingfroinihe right of, Fig. 7.

Fig.y 9 is a side View of a cylindrical roller cutters.

Fig. 10 is a view lookin of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view like Fig. 9, a quarter turn therefrom. i

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the roller bit withparts in section on line 12--12 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a detail vertical sectional `View of a part of the bit head, showing modified cutters.

Fig. 14 is a similar view to Fig. 13, showing further modications.

Fig. 15 is a detail perspective' view of a seat for a cone bearing for the cutter.

Fig. 16 is a detail view relating to the seat of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a sectional View, along line 17 -17 of Fig. 2 with a removable roller cutter in place in the bore of the bit head.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view substantially oit line 18--18 of Fig. 19 with the roller cutter and its mounting omitted fromy the bore opening. 'f

Fig. 19 is a sect' of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a View similar to Fig. 18 but looking in the opposite direction.

In these drawings `1 is the drill bit and 2 the reamer block connected thereto by screw vthreads 3.? The reamer block has rotary cutters 4 of any suitable type. Various forms ofroller cutters may be mounted in the head and in Figs. 1 and 2 I show frusto-conical' -side cutters 5,. and cylindrical roller cutters 6, which will be hereinafter more fully re- 20 `journal pin for g from the right onval view on line 19-19 or HOUSTON, TExAs.

BORING APPARATUS. l

1924. serial No. 118,030.'

ferredto. The drill body composed, in` theA form chosen as a basis for illustrating my improvements, of the bit head 1 and reamer block 2 is attached to the lower end of a so drill pipe, not shown, by which the body is rotated and by which flushing Water is conveyedto passages leading to the cutters.

1f the organization is to be used for obta-in ing a core of the earth formation it will beA c5 v provided with grips 7 of segmental form l resting in .a downwardly tapered bore or seat 8 in the drill body and surro-undin a bore 9 through which the core is receive to l pass up through the bore defined by the grip 7o segments and into a core receiving tgbe/ Bef/f" This tube has a cap 10 closing 'its up er end, except for a small vent hole 11. is core tube sits inside of the drill stem or pipe and `w1thin`thenbere of the drill body, Vleaving an 75 annular space zt12`fo'r the downward passage of flushing fluid from said stem to 'the 'upper end of the tapered bore 8 and thence through passages 13 to the roller cutters.

' No fastening means are employed for the core tube excepting that spacers such as 14 Vmay be used, for centering the tube coaxially with the apparatus. The core tube at its lower end rests on the segmental grips. These grips present an internal diameter, when in their lowest position, less than the diameter of. the core to be taken, by reason of the disposition ofthe rotary cutters,`for instance, see in this connection the cylindrical roller cutters of Figs. 1 and 2, which slightly overlap at their inner ends the edge of the bore 9. The grips are corrugated on their inner faces to rip the core and retain it within the core tu e when the apparatus is lifted from the well. The exterior faces 95 of, the grips are smooth. As the core rises v within the borev9 and contacts-With the grips these will rise slightly and'spread apart to permit the core to rise into the core tube. The weight of the core tube resting on the grips will, however, keep them in contact with the core, so that when the apparatus is lifted the lcore will be positively gripped and lifted from the well hole. j

Referring to the roller cutters, there are three side cutters 5, two of which are located close to each other and the third one is widely separated from the others. .This spacing provides room for the cylindrical roller cutters 6 to work in, all the cutters being located in radial planes.

The outside cutters 5 may be true rolling cones, as shown in` Figs. 1 and 2, that is,

coneswith their apices lying in the longi Y -Thebearings.otthethree outercutters arecones 15, mounted on journal pins 16. These cone bearings have each a projecting portion --inside of the structure, i. e., through 17 at its base to enter a recess 18 in the body of the bit head, or rather in the face ot the outer Wall defining the pocket or recess in Which the rotary cutter is located. This re- V eessrisillustratediaFigs. 1, 14, 15 and 1G.

As shown, the projecting portion 17 is provided with straight sides 17a and the recess is formed to correspond;so-that when the cone bearing is seated in the recess it will be held against turning in its seat.

The recess 18 is open at its lower end, as

at 18, so that the cone bearing, while in place `within the rotary cutter` can be slipped into place by moving it upwardly into said recess until the opening through the cone Vregisters with the openings for the journal pin in the Wall of the bit head. 'whereupon theLjDurnal/pin-ican be inserted from gie 1e bore 9. `The projection 17 finds a bearing at the shoulder or upper Wall of the recess 18.I and also. ofcourse, along its side edges with the walls of said recess, and its rear or outer face finds a bearingr on the bottom face of the recess. The walls of the recess, as well as the bottom wall thereof, receive the thrust of the cone and carry the load on the rotary cutter. So do the faces or shoulders 17b of the cone.

A Washer 19 protects the metal of the bit head from Wear at the inner side of the cutter. No washer is needed on the other side of the cutter because the large end ot the cone itself will prevent the cutter from coming in contact with the wall of the recess or pocket in which the roller cutter is located.

The arrangement of the cone transfers the load to the body of the bit or head and relieves the journal pin and prevents breakage thereof. It leaves an amount of metal in the peripheral portion ot' the rotary cutter. which will maintain clearance for the bit head and thereby eliminate excessive Wear on said head.

The journal pin 16 is provid-ed with a square head 16a. This pin may be formed from square stock machined in a lathe to provide the `cylindrical portion.

These journal pins 16 of the side cutters are retained in place by the heads 20a ot pins 2O uponv which the cvlindrical roller cutters 6 are mounted. These pins are shown in detail in Figs. 9. 10 and 11. They bear in the solid metal of the drill body at opposite sides ot the said cylindrical roller cutters, that is to say, the cylindrical shanks lto the 4cylindrical lwallrot-the Vbore'9 and ot a larger radius than the core to be taken. Besides finding a bearing in the solid metal of the drill bit body at a and b Figs. 1 and 13, the head 20 of the pin Q0 overlies the corners ot the heads 16*l of the journal pins 16 and retains the pins 16 in place. The heads 16L are bev-elled ofi at their upper corners to receive contact from the heads 20. These heads 20a are square and they rest against the solid metal of the bit body at each of their two sides at and across the top at a. They hold the pins 20 against rotation.` V T he pins Q0 are also held bylocle screws 21 at their Aou'terends,"ivliicliscrews are put in place above the journal pins, grooves 22 heilig formed in the bit head to permit ready insertion of the lock screws.

It will be observed from Fig. 2 that the cylindrical roller cutters 6 at their inner ends or faces project inwardly across the line defining the circumference of the bore 9 of the bit head. This projecting portion of the cylindrical roller cutters 6 determines the size of the core. They cut the clearance between the core and the wall of the bore 9. so that the core in passing upward into the bit head will not have rictional contact with the wall of said bore. nor will it contact with the wall of the core receiving tube.

The disposition of these cylindrical roller cutters, together with the unequally spaced side cutters. gives a balanced cutting area on the bottom of the bit head. thereby iinparting to the drill a tendency to go sti-ai Ail-1t downward. The bit head has recesses or broad grooves 23 in its sides for return eirculation of the flushing iuid.

The construction above described may be modified in various particulars and still be within the underlying principles of this invention. T do not limit myself to the use 'of frusto-conical side cutters. In Fig. 13 is shown a modification ot side cutter means made up of a conical portion f and acylindrical portion 5b. This type of composite cutter is also shown in Figlle. A cone bearing may be used for this composite cutter as shown at 15" in the latter figure. When this kind of side cutter is employed the cylindrical roller cutter shown at 6. Fig. 2. need not be so Wide. The composite type of cutter combines in itself all the advantages ot a cylindrical form of cutter not havin;r a true rolling motion, thereby causing slippage of the teeth for rapidly breakingr up the material, and also the advantages of the true rolling conical cutter, which has a crushing action on the material. There is a heavy inward thrust of the side Walls of the -suitable means may lbe bore hole on the cylindrical portion of the cutter, but this will be oilt'set by the upward thrust of the load on the conical portion of the cutter. The cone bearing, when lthis is used as in Fig. 14, will transfer this upward thrust to the solid body of the bit head, as explained heretofore.

The composite type ofcutter covers a considerable width at the bottom of the bore the diameter of the hole in proportion to myself to a cylindricutter. I do not limit cal cutter as the outer member ofthe comp The 'composite cutter would posite cutter. give a maximum cutting surface for maintaining the clearancey at the side of the bit and would also give independent rates of rotation within itself to secure the breaking up and crushing of the material at the `bottom of the hole.

The bearing 15' having -an extended portion to seat itselfin the wall of the bit head is not limited to one of conical form. It is not necessary that the extension on the cone bearing which is seated in the recess of the bit head be provided with straight sides, but

instead the circular base of the cone itselfmay be seated in the recess of the bit head, as indicated in Fig. 14.v Such a construction would take the upward thrust and any provided to lock the cone bearing against rotation, such as a projcction on the base to one side of theaxis of the cone entering a recess in the cone seat, or the base of the cone may be eccentric or of a shape otherthan circular.

In this Figure 14 the side cutter lies opens into the central bore at the upper inner portion of said recess.

' Where herein various features are shown in separate figures 'of the drawing but are susceptible of being embodied in one and the same structure without conflict,it is to. they'are to be regarded be understood lthat as belonging to one embodiment of the .1in-

. drical roller'cutter Vmay vention. v

When the bit is not to be used for taking a core of the earth formation, a small cylinbe employed, as in,- dicated in Figs. 17, 18, 19 at 24.' This cutter is supported by a bearing pin 24aL which is seated at one end in the hole 24", Figs. 2 and 12, and-,extends across the bore 9 lwith its .other end entering the journal pin of the side roller as at 16. A sleeve 25tis arranged on the pin to properly space the roller cutter 24. The sleeve 25 has a. lock vscrew 26 projecting into the bearing pin 2.4a

to hold it against loss. This long bearing pin 24a may be retained Fig. 14 this pin is provided with an eccen` frusto-conical. recess inwhich the -p ter cuts a wide path by other means. In'

tric head 24x and a screw plug 24c holds the pin in place. This cutter,-as shown in Fig.`

19, would not completely close the bore 9 and suiicient opening would 'therefore be left for the downward passage of flushing fluid from the drill stem, it being understood that the core tube would not be used and the bore 9 would beV in free communication with the interior of the drill stem through which the flushing fluid descends.

Two small cutters may be used at the exact center of the head to disintegrate the lcentral portion of the'bore hole, as shown in Fig. 14. l

' In Fig. 13 is shown a cutter 6 in one ieee insteadof two pieces, as before described, this being mounted in a manner similar to the two cutters 6 of Fig.` 1.

'The cone bearing of the rotary cutter takes the thrust as before stated. The joiirnal pin is thus relieved of. strain-and the cone may be tted loosely to this pin.

It will be noted from greater width a't its periphery` thanv at its central portion, thus providing for 4a wide Fig. 13 thatthe inner face of the rusto-conical cutter is of'A auv tooth surface which overlaps the adjacent part of the frame or solid part of the bit head. This construction is shown at 5c.

tooth length lfor cutting, Mample bearing is aiIorded at the 4center of the cutter, for

which purpose themetal of the bit head is.

thickened at 5d by extending into the recess of the rusto-conical cutter. In assembling thiscomposite cutter the frusto-conical member 5 is placed iirst, then the cylindrical .While this construction gives4 maximum v cutter is` placed in position behind the 4 cutter, and then the bearing in is inserted'from the central bore of the bit head. This composite type of roller cutat the bottom of the hole, leaving a minimum amount otmaterial to be removed by the small cutter shown at the left of the bore ofthe bit.-

In Fig. 14 the innermost cutter is recessed but` yonly suiicient to receive the washer. This also gives an broader y cutting surface than the thickness of the main part of this about said bore, a tapered seat for the grips and adapted to grip and .with widest diameter upward to permit ,i

` ter having its inner end located at the edge sai/d recess, the latter journal pins having heads bearing in the body of the drill bit and overlying the journal pins of the side cutters ,to `hold them in place, substantially as described. Y

4. In combination 1n rotarydrilling apparatas, a body havlng a central recess, rotary cutters mounted in the head, journal pins forv the cutters inserted into place from said central recess, one of said journal pins having a head on its inner end engaging another journal pin at its inner end to hold the latter inl place, substantially as described.4 A

5.4 In combination in a rotary drilling ap paratus for deep wells, a drill body havinga central bore, a rotary side cutter, a rotary cutof said bore to define the diameter of the core, a. journaljpin for each rotary cutter, said journal pins bearing in the body of the head at both their outer and inner ends, one of said journal pins having a portion thereof engaging the other pin to hold the same in place, substantially as described.

6. In combination in a rotary deep well drilling apparatus, a body having a central recess, rotary cutters, journal pins mounted in the body and each having ahead. at its inner end seated yin a cavity on the wall of the recess, one of said heads engaging the other to hold the latter with its pin in place.

7. In combination in rotary Well drilling apparatus, a body having a central bore coaxial With the drill head for receiving the core, a rotary cutter exposed for cutting on the lower face of said body and extendingto the edge of the said bore to be exposed at said bore and define the diameter of the core out by the drill, a journal pin for said cutter having its axis in a plane radial to the loui gitudinal axis of l(he body and its outer end bearing in the body Iand having a head on its inner end also bearing in the body, substantially as described.

8. In combination in rotary Well drilling apparatus, a body having a central bore coaxial with the drill head for receiving the core,)a rotary cutter exposed for cutting on the lower face of said body and extending to the edge of the said bore to be exposed at said bore and define the diameter of the core cut bythe drill, a journal pin for said cutter having its axis inV a plane radial to the longitudinal axis of the body andits outer end bearing in the body and having a head on its inner end also bearing in thev body, said head being curved on its inner face to conform substantially to the' curved wall of the cen ,tral recess or bore of the drill body, substantially. as described.

9. Inr combination, a Vrotary dee well r drilling apparatus comprising a body aving .a central recess, an inclined rotary side cutter, au inclined journal pin therefor having a headat its inner end seated in the wall of the central'recess and having its corner slabbed ofi', a second cutter, a journal pin therefor having a head at its inner end overlying the slabbed voff corner of the head.

first mentioned.

l0. In combination in a rotary Adeep wel drillin tool a body, a' rotary s ide cutter, an upwardly and outwardly inclined journal pin therefor, and a member mounted on the pin 'within the rotary cutter and having its end bearing in a seat recess in the face of the Wall which supports the high end of the pin toI sustain the upward thrust of the rotary eutter,`the seat recess being4 open at its lower end, for insertion ofA the cutter and memberA as a unit.

11. In combinationwith a rotary bit head i having avrecess to 3receive a rotary cutter and having a seat recess open at its lower end for insertion of the conical bearing member in the inner face of the Wall of the recess first; mentioned, a rotary cutter, a

conical bearing `member on which said cutter turns, a pin extending coaxially with the cutter and conical member and seated in the the cone, said seat recess being open at its.

lower end for the insertion of the cone'substantially as described. f 13. In combination with a rotary driilbit head having a recess provided with a' seat recess in the inner face of its wall, said seat recess being open at its lower end a. rotary cutter in the recess iirst `mentioned, a cone on which the cutter turns having a reduced extension with straight sides fitting in said seat recess to hold the cone against turning and to sustainv the load by bearing against the walls of said seat recess, the-cutter and" Abearing being inserted in first mentionedrecess as a unit and apin bearing' in the head and passingthrough the rotarycutter and cone for holding the said parts in place, substantially as described. i

14. In combination wi@ arotary drill bit ba esta" lower face with a seat recess in the inner face lower end, a pin bearing in the walls of the recess, and a member onlthe pin and within the cutter, said member extending into the seat recess to engage the shoulder foi bearing the load, substantially as described. i

15. In combination, a rotary drill bit head having a recess extending upwardly from its of its outer wall, open at its lower end and having an upper wall and straight side walls,

a` rotary cutter in said upwardly extending,`

recess, a pin extending across the recess, and a member surrounding the pin within the rotary cutter and having a reduced extension -witli straight sides, said extension engaging the top and side walls of the seat recess and having shoulders beyond its side edges bearing on the inner face of the outer wall of the recess first mentioned, substantially as described.

16. In combination, a drill body havin a central bore to receive a core, movable grips for engaging the core to lift the same from thewell when the apparatus is raised and a core tube resting upon the grips and imposing its weight thereon, and movable with said grips when the latter rise under pressure of the core, substantially as described.

17. A journal pin for rotary deep well drilling apparatus, having its axis in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body in which it is carried and the head at its inner end of rectangular shape, undercut at its inner face to conform substantially to the bore of the apparatus to oppose no obstruction to the entrance of core into said bore, and a roller cutter on said journal pin and defining' the core, the cutter being in a recess opening into the said bore.

18.- In combination in a rotary deep well drilling tool, a body, an inclined rotary side cutter, an upwardly and outwardly inclined ournal pin therefor, and a member mounted on the pin within the rotary cutter, and having its end bearing on a projection in the face of the wall which supports the high end of the pin to sustain the upward thrust of the rotary cutter, the cutter and member within the .cutter assembled for insertion as aunit.

19. In combination in a rotary deep well drilling tool, a body having an upwardly and inwardly inclined recess, open at its lower end, an inclined rotary side cutter, an upwardly and outwardly inclined journal pin therefor, and a member mounted on the pin within the rotary cutter, the said member having its higher end extending into the said Seat recess to abut the Shoulder at the lter for forming the core,

- boring apparatus,

upper end of the same, with means 'for pre-` venting rotation of the said member in said seat recess, said cutter and member within the same being assembled to be inserted into said inclined recess through the lower open endof the seat recess, substantially as described.

20. In combination in a rotary drilling tool'for deep wells a body having a bore to receive :i core, aside cutter for forming the core, a journal pin therefor inserted into the body from the bore and having a. head at its inner end, an inserted piece resting against the head of the journal pin and removably held in the body of the drilling tool by a pin having its shank mounted in the body, the inserted piece bearing on the head of the journal pin to hold it in place.l

21. In combination in a deep well rotary drilling apparatus, a bit head havin a central bore to receive a core, a rotary side cuta pin on which said cutter is mounted having a head exposed at said bore, and having a recess therein to aiiord a bearing for a removable pin ex-` tending across said bore to support a supplemental cutter, the opposite end of said pin finding a bearing in` an opening in the said head, substantially as described.

2.2. In combination in a deep well rotary a drill bit having a central bore, rotary cutters at the outer edge of said bit, said bit having radiall disposed recesses opening into the central ore, journal pins disposed with their axes substantially at right angles to the vertical axis 'of the drill and mounted at their outer portions in the wall of the bit head, and extending through said radial recesses, said bit head having a bearing for the inner, portions of said pins and roller cutter means on said pins and locate-d in said radial recesses, said roller cutter means having active cutting portions at theedge of said bore, substantially asdescribed.

23. In combination with a rotary drill bit head having a recess provided with aV seat recess in the inner face ofits wall and open at its lower end, a rotary cutter in the recess first mentioned, and a bearing on which the cutter turns, having an extension fitting in the seat recess to hold the bearing against turning and to sustain the load, the cutter and bearing being inserted as a unit. 24. In combination with a rotary drill bit head, having an inclined recess extending from its lower face upwardly and inwardly and with a seat recess in the face of the wall of said inclined recess vpresenting a shoulder, and open at its lower end, a bearing in the inclined recess with extension fitting the seat recess, and a rotary cutter. j

25. In combination in a deep well coring apparatus, a rotary bit head having a central bore, only three inclined side roller cutters variably spacedabout the outer edge of said bit in recesses opening into the central bore other than through a Huid supply conduit, and a cylindrical roller cutter arranged at the edge of said bore in a recess o ening into said bore and with its axis Vra ial to the bore, each of the cutter bearings being supported at two places.

26. In combination in a deep well rotary drilling apparatus, a head having a central bore, only two inclined side roller cutters closely spaced, each in a recess opening into the central bore, a lthird inclined side roller cutter opposite the space between the pair first mentioned, leaving spaces between itself und the two cutters first mentioned, and cylindrical roller cutters arranged in said spaces in recesses opening into the central bore and with their axes radial to the axis of the head, each of the cutter bearings in the head being supported at two places.

27. In combination in a rotar coring apparatus for deep wells, a drill ody having a central bore, a rotary side cutter in a recess inclining downwardly and outwardly in respect to the central bore and opening into the central bore other thanthrough a Huid supply conduit, a rotary cutter'located in another recess opening into the central bore and the cutter having its inner end located at the edge of said bore lto define the diameter of the core, a journal pin for each rotary cutter, said journal pins bearing in the body of the head'at two places.

28. In combination in a rotary deep well drilling apparatus, a body, a rotary cutter, and a journal pin therefor having its axis in a plane radial to the longitudinal axis of the body and with a head at its inner end of rectangular shape, curved on its inner face to conform substantially to the bore of the said body, the cutter being counter-bored to Hare and thereby permit use of rectangular shaped head of pin to bear on body metal and at the same time not interfere with entrance of core into bore.

29. In a core drill, the combination of a head, a pair of inclined side roller cutters closely speed in recesses that open into the central supply conduit, a third inclined side roller cutter opposite the space between the pair first mentioned, leavin wide spaces between itself and the mem ers of the pair, and cylindrical roller cutters arranged in said wide spaces in recesses opening into the central bore and with their axes radial to the axis of the head, the combination of elements disposing the metal of the head to rigidly support the cutter bearings, and the re other, than through the fluidthe borehole, and the bearing for the inner A cutter supported at two places in the head.

31. In combination in a rotary deep well drilling apparatus, a body, a rotary cutter and a journal pin therefor, having its inner end concaved to conform substantially to the arc of the bore of said body, the cut ter being counter-bored to permit use of said shaped head of journal pin to bear on body metal and at same time not interfere with the entrance of core into bore.

32. In combination in a rotary deep well drilling apparatus, a bit head having a bore for receiving a core, three inclined side cutters at the edge of said head, two ol" which are closely spaced relative to each other on one side of the vertical axis, and the third of which is more widely spaced from the others and is located on the opposite side of the axis with its axis in line with the space between the closely set cutters, and cylindrical roller cutters in the wide spaces between the said third cutter and each of the other two side cutters, said cylindrical cutters being on axes radial to the vertical axis of the apparatus and slightly overlapping the bore to cut clearance around the core to be received in said bore, substantially as described.

33. In combination in a rotary deep well coi-ing apparatus, a bit head having a bore to receive a core, and a recess communicating with said bore, a horizontal cutter in said recess having its inner end at the bore to define the diameter of the core, a journal pin mounted at its outer end in the wall of he recess, said pin at its inner end having an enlarged head, which is curved at its inner face to conform to the curve of the bore,

said enlarged head findinga bearing in the wall of the bit head adjacent said bore, and laterally in respect to the said journal pin, said cutter extending clear to the outer face of the head of said pin with no wall portion interposed. A

t vIn testimony whereof, I affix my signaure.

CLARENCE E. REED; 

